Obituary of Betty Joyce Hesselink

Betty Joyce Hesselink, 72, of Chattanooga, died Thursday, September 17, 2015. She is survived by her husband, Paul, her daughter Elizabeth (Chris) Cairns, of Manhattan, KS, her son Jonathan (Robin) Hesselink of Nashville, TN, and her grandchildren Anne Elise, Will and James Cairns. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Edith Blankespoor, and her sister, Ruth Bonnema, all of Inwood, IA. Other surviving family members include her brother Edward (Carol) Blankespoor of Grand Rapids, MI, Judi (Harv) Vander Top of Edgerton, MN, Helen (Lee) Luhrs, Knoxville, IA, and Harv (Cheryl) Blankespoor of Inwood, IA, as well as Betty's aunts, Ann (Ed) Viening and Agnes Bajema, both of Grand Rapids, MI, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Her surviving in-laws are Mary (Mark) Lemmenes of Jacksonville, FL, Rachel Hesselink of Salisbury, MD, Mark Hesselink of Cleveland, OH, and Dale (Lynette) Bonnema of Inwood, IA. Betty was born in Inwood, IA, married Paul Hesselink in 1970, and had resided in the Chattanooga area since 1972. She earned degrees from Calvin College and the University of Chicago. She was a teacher to students at every level from kindergarten to college. She specifically enjoyed providing adult education courses and taught for many years at locations across Hamilton County and North Georgia as well as teaching abroad in Slovakia. She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, the Friday Morning Study Club, and her much-loved book club. She loved reading, crossword puzzles, baking, traveling, entertaining, and visiting with friends. The family appreciates the support of Betty's friends over the years and thanks those who cared for her: Robin Waller and the team at the Chattanooga Kidney Center North and the nurses at Hospice of Chattanooga. Friends may visit with the family at Second Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, September 22, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 23, at 11:00 a.m. at Second Presbyterian with Pastor Diane Stocker officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Second Presbyterian Church, the Friends of the Library, or Habitat for Humanity. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home and Cremation Services.